A Psalm of Thanksgiving

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Grateful Faith

Jonah 2:2-9   The Message

At the Bottom of the Sea

2 ^1-9 Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish.

He prayed:

“In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God.
    He answered me.
From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’
    You heard my cry.
You threw me into ocean’s depths,
    into a watery grave,
With ocean waves, ocean breakers
    crashing over me.
I said, ‘I’ve been thrown away,
    thrown out, out of your sight.
I’ll never again lay eyes
    on your Holy Temple.’
Ocean gripped me by the throat.
    The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight.
My head was all tangled in seaweed
    at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root.
I was as far down as a body can go,
    and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever—
Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive,
    O God, my God!
When my life was slipping away,
    I remembered God,
And my prayer got through to you,
    made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds,
    walk away from their only true love.
But I’m worshiping you, God,
    calling out in thanksgiving!
And I’ll do what I promised I’d do!
    Salvation belongs to God!”

 

For Reflection

How often have you thought that you were tangled in the seaweed of life?  Poor Jonah.  Jonah fought the call of God and only when he thought all was lost did Jonah give into God's call.  Jonah's life was saved from sure death to rise into God's obedience.  How does Jonah's song remind you of the pleas that you have made for help?  How has God opened the gates into the Kingdom of Grace and a new life for you?

Pray

that you will be prepared to accept a new life in the hollow of God's hand.  Pray that you will accept the opportunities to serve God.  Pray for the healing hand of God to comfort and guide you toward righteous living.